Govt expenditure on drug combat highlighted as stakeholders meet to address youth drug abuse

Over the years, the government has been spending quite a substantial amount of money in trying to combat the drug trade.

This has been highlighted by the Assistant Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Sakiusa Tubuna during a stakeholders meeting including representatives from different religious organisations to discuss the impact of drug abuse on youths.

Tubuna says from hiking and combing through the mountains for marijuana farms to busting peddlers’ homes, drug labs and storage places, a lot of money is used in these operations, money that could be better utilized to upgrade schools and hospitals, roads and infrastructure.

Tubuna says the Coalition Government aims to work with different community groups to curb the issue of drug abuse and needs to work collaboratively to push through the various alternatives for youths.

He says they need to engage young people in more meaningful experiences and use different platforms to reach out to them, assisting them to realise their potential and empowering them to become productive and law-abiding citizens of this country.

He says they need to target young ones, rejuvenating and revamping the way they look at things through their religious teachings and curriculum. Tubuna adds the recent drug bust in Nadi is evidence of their continued efforts in this battle while they come together to discuss the realities of these social issues marks a positive step towards brainstorming and implementing proactive measures to discourage Fijians from engaging in illegal activities.